Bike stolen from Chattanooga's Ascension Lutheran Church is recovered

The pastor of a local church who pleaded for help when a bicycle was stolen during Sunday services said the bike has been recovered.

Ascension Lutheran Church Pastor Jeff Crim credited broad media attention and the work of local law enforcement.

In a news release, Crim said an individual, who will remain anonymous, contacted the church and provided information about the bike's location at a local pawn shop.

"After discussing the matter with the East Ridge Police Department, the bicycle's owner voluntarily chose to redeem the bicycle from the pawn shop at his own expense rather than pursue a course of action that would likely result in criminal prosecution of a third party who had voluntarily come forward and did not appear to be the actual thief," Crim said in the release.

The thief appears to have been someone well known to him and several members of the congregation, Crim's release said, possibly a person who has been given financial and food assistance on several occasions.